Van Gorp Drainage and Excavating, of Springfield, has been excavating and installing agricultural drainage and septic systems in and around Elgin County for over 50 years, but on Nov. 22, Van Gorp’s vintage Case tractor rode in the 81st annual Aylmer Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade . Their float, palled by a vintage truck driven by John Van Gorp, was outstanding for the…
Premier Doug Ford celebrated his 61st birthday in St. Thomas on Nov. 20, officially welcoming Vianode’s $3.2 billion investment in the community and underscoring southwestern Ontario’s important contributions to economic growth across Canada. “The best birthday present I’ve ever had,” the premier told a small crowd assembled in Yarmouth Yards. “$3.2 billion investment, it’s absolutely incredible.” The Norwegian company plans…
An Orwell man, 34, who had been wearing a tracking monitor but allegedly removed it, was charged by Aylmer Police with spousal assault and has been remanded into custody. He was described by police as “a prolific offender.” Chief Kyle Johnstone said the man had been out on bail for a charge of possession of a controlled substance for the…
Springfield Public School’s Parent Council held its Third Annual Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 15, to raise money for year-end field trips for all the pupils there. Laurie Syrnyk, left, of Laurie’s Animal Antics of Springfield chatted over colourful pet bandanas with Ginger Abbott of Mount Salem. (AE/Rob Perry)
Aylmer library hosted an English tea on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 15, in the opera house at Old Town Hall in honour of the 250th birthday of author Jane Austen, famous for novels such as “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility.” Since formal balls were often part of her books, part of the program was learning to dance, under the…
Aylmer-Malahide Museum and Archives volunteer Melanie MacNeil welcomed guests on the annual Christmas Tour of Homes to St. Paul’s United Church in Aylmer on Saturday, Nov. 15. The church was also decorated for the holidays, including trees, wreaths, laurels and, in front of the altar, a crèche. The 150-year-old church had been busy during the tour, she reported. The church…
Belmont United Church’s 136th Turkey Supper on Wednesday night, Nov. 5, sold out with 400 attending. The menu included turkey, dressing, cranberries, potatoes, gravy, corn, turnip, coleslaw, dinner roll, pie and a beverage. The event was organized by the United Church Women under the leadership of Peggy Cameron, who credited its success to a group effort. Proceeds will go to…
Santa Claus listened attentively to Willow Bartsch, 4, as she described wanting a toy dog for Christmas during the ceremonial holiday lighting of Memorial Park in Vienna on Saturday night, Nov. 15. She promised she’d been good all year. (AE/Rob Perry)
A St. Thomas teenager’s compassion and giving spirit are being remembered after her death three days following a Nov. 14 collision between a sedan and transport truck at the intersection of Quaker Road and Southdale Line in Central Elgin. Hadley Denison, 17, a Grade 12 student at St. Thomas’ Parkside Collegiate Institute and a member of the Port Stanley and…
The music and charm of Christmas will return to the streets of Aylmer as the 81st annual Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade commences at 2 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 22. Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade committee head Andrew Beck says the “folksy” holiday event is the official launch of the town’s Christmas shopping season and invites businesses, service clubs, churches and community…